The Colorado Avalanche will likely have a new look on defense next season. Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie will again be the face of the team’s defense, but it appears that Jan Hejda and Ryan Wilson won’t be returning. The Denver Post reports that the Avs likely won’t re-sign either Hejda or Wilson and will allow the duo to hit free agency.
Coach Patrick Roy has often said he is going to “live or die” with his young and talented forward corps — primarily Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly, Gabe Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon — but admitted late this past season that he’d like to improve the blue line.
Hence, the Avs — who have six of eight returning defensemen under contract for next season — are not expected to re-sign unrestricted free-agent defensemen Jan Hejda and Ryan Wilson. Colorado probably will use much of its $11 million in salary cap space to recruit at least one free-agent defenseman, and probably two.
Hejda, 36, is closing in on the end of his career, but he should have no issue finding a new team to skate for if Colorado lets him walk. He won’t do much offensively (he hasn’t surpassed 15 points in any of the last four seasons) but his experience and leadership may suit a younger squad.
Wilson, 28, hasn’t been able to shake a series of injuries. When healthy, Wilson has a lot to offer and is a strong offensive-minded defenseman, but injuries ranging from concussions to a shoulder injury have forced him to miss significant time. Teams may look at Wilson as a low-risk, high-reward piece but only if the price is manageable.
Stefan Elliott, a restricted free agent, has a murky future as well. Elliott only made a handful of appearances at the NHL level last season and the report mentioned above details the organization may be ready to move on.
Former second-round draftee Stefan Elliott, 24, has grown out of favor with the Avalanche and is a restricted free agent.
The Avs may end up bringing Elliott back, but it appears they want a new look and feel on their blueline.
